Diocesan employees get guidance on how to deal with hurricane trauma

Published: 2005-10-13

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNS) -- Rebuilding relationships with others and not remaining isolated in grief or lapsing into destructive behaviors are critical to overcoming the emotional and psychological effects of Hurricane Katrina on those who have lost loved ones, jobs and a lifetime of possessions, according to two Maryland psychologists. Sister Lynn M. Levo, a Sister of St. Joseph, and Sheila Harron spoke at a trauma workshop in Baton Rouge Sept. 29 for employees of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Baton Rouge. The psychologists are with the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md., which specializes in counseling for clergy and religious. The employees' session followed one held a day earlier for priests dealing with parishioners who have lost homes and possessions. Caregivers have to be aware to take care of themselves during this time of stress and loss, the psychologists said. "You need to connect with others, and do not isolate or withdraw," Sister Levo said. "This is one of the most damaging things people do."

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